"Many Photos" - How Yeoman Warders lived with their families inside The Tower of London in 1951

For almost a thousand years, the Tower of London has been a symbol of power and fear for people across the world - but for some it was home and even their local.

Charming photographs dating back more than 70 years show Yeoman Warders and their families living normal lives behind the walls of the infamous fortress.

These historic snapshots show the personal lives of the Beefeaters in 1951 as they relax after a hard day's work and send their kids off to school, while their wives keep order in the household.

Yeoman Warders are the colourfully dressed bodyguards at the Tower of London. They were formed in 1485 by King Henry VII. 

They served as the royal house guard of the Tudors. In 1509, Henry VIII moved his residence from the tower, but kept several Yeoman Warders to guard the famous landmark, where a garrison has been kept ever since. 

Shown left, a quintessential Beefeater, dressed in his regal finery, is pictured standing guard at the Tower of London in a photograph taken in 1951. Shown right is a group of youngsters who lived in the tower along with their families. They are crossing the main gate bridge and heading into the city

An evening's entertainment in the Yeoman's private pub is caught on camera as the workers and their families are entertained by a man playing a banjo. When off duty the Yeoman Warders were able to enjoy many of the trappings of civilian life inside the menacing tower

A room with a view: Tower Bridge looms in the background as the Beefeater's wardrobe is ordered by one of the many support staff who also lived and worked within the landmark's iconic stone walls

Shown left, a yeoman takes off his shoes and enjoys a break reading a newspaper while sitting in front of the fireplace. Meanwhile a housewife tends to the windows of one of the many houses inside the tower's grounds, right. These photos show that is is possible to live a normal life, and not lose your head, within the tower walls

A pair of housewives, who would have lived inside the tower's walls along with their husbands, are pictured drying the Yeomen's washing at the foot of one of the battlements. At the time of these photos, more than 100 people lived inside the Tower including the guards, their wives and children

At the time of these photos, more than 100 people lived inside the Tower including the guards, their wives and children.

While on duty, each of the Beefeaters were charged with protecting the crown jewels, looking after prisoners, locking the outer gates and delivering the keys to Resident Governor in the Ceremony of the Keys.

When off duty the Yeoman Warders were able to enjoy many of the trappings of civilian life inside the menacing tower. They even had their own private pub within the walls, only open to them and their invited guests.

Wives of these royal guards lead regular lives as well. They could be seen around the Tower of London residence hanging up the laundry next to the walls, cleaning their homes, and cooking for their families. 

Wives of these royal guards lead regular lives as well, such as this woman leaving out an empty glass of milk (shown left). They could be seen around the Tower of London residence hanging up the laundry next to the walls, cleaning their homes (right), and cooking for their families

A pair of Beefeater's children play soldiers at the gatehouse of one of the UK's most significant historical buildings. 

Pictured left, a housewife makes her way up some of the tower's stone spiral steps to her home following a shopping trip into the city, while shown right, a Yeoman plays a tune while off duty.

The Ceremony of the Keys takes place on the lawn outside the iconic White Tower, which is located in the middle of the landmark. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it was initially a timber construction before gradually being built into the stone keep it is today over the next decade

Yeoman Warders even had their own private pub within the walls, only open to them and their invited guests. pictured on the walls are photographs of the monarchs, including George VI and his wife Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother. A photograph of George V can also be seen on the right

A Beefeater's partner keeps their residence spick and span. These historic snapshots show the personal lives of the Yeoman Warders in 1951 as they relax after a hard day's work and send their kids off to school, while their wives keep order in the household

The royal fortress that looms large in British history: Inside the mighty Tower of London 

A prison, a palace and a place of safety, the Tower has long loomed large over London, playing a crucial role in nearly every major upheaval to afflict the capital since it was begun by William the Conqueror in 1066.

The donjon castle he built, the White Tower, was designed for defence but also functioned as a royal palace, with every subsequent Norman king processing from the Tower to their coronation at Westminster Abbey.

That tradition persisted well into the 17th century, with Henry VIII, Edward I and Elizabeth I among the monarchs to spend a night there ahead of their coronations.

But it is as a place of execution and imprisonment that the Tower is most famous, with the very name of its chapel - St Peter in Chains - offering a clue to its use.

Although used as a prison from 1100 onwards, the first notable execution to take place at the Tower was that of William Wallace, a Scottish rebel whose death warrant was signed by Edward I 'The Hammer of the Scots' in 1305.

But Wallace was by no means the only one. He was followed into death at the Tower by England's 'nine day queen' Lady Jane Grey, Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard and Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, as well as many others.

The Bloody Tower was also the scene of one of the most enduring mysteries in British history: the disappearance of Edward V of England and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, who are better known as the Princes in the Tower.

Precisely what happened to the two boys, who were aged 12 and nine years old at the time, has never been established, although many suspect that the children were murdered - either by their uncle Richard III or the incoming Tudor king, Henry VII.

But while the deaths that took place during the Tudor and mediaeval periods are the most famous, the tradition of executing criminals at the Tower continued into the 20th century with a group of suspected spies despatched by firing squad on Tower Green during World War One.

Unsurprisingly, later prisoners, among them a group of German prisoners of war held at the Tower during World War Two and the Kray twins, are said to have found the experience of being held at the Tower terrifying.

As a result of the executions, the Tower is also thought to be haunted with the tragic ghost of Anne Boleyn said to appear each year, wandering around the White Tower and carrying her head under her arm, on the anniversary of her execution on the 19th May 1536.

The Tower is also the subject of several legends, including one about a prophecy that says 'if the ravens leave the Tower, then England will fall'.

A nervous Charles II, clearly mindful of the fate of his father, insisted that the ravens be encouraged to remain. The current six have special quarters in the Tower and have one wing clipped to ensure they can't fly off.

Nevertheless, some do still go missing while others have had to be sacked. Raven George was dismissed for eating television aerials, while another, Raven Grog, was last seen outside an East End pub.

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News Photo How Yeoman Warders lived with their families inside The Tower of London in 1951
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